PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Panicum maximum ENSILED WITH Gliricidia sepium LEAVES

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the proximate composition and physical characteristics of Panicum maximum ensiled with Gliricidia sepium leaves. Dry matter concentration in the silage was determined by using forced draught oven at 650c at the lab until a constant weight was obtained. The adopted model for this experiment is a one-way analysis of variance in a complete randomized design. Results for  hemical composition of silage during the experimental study showed that parameters across the treatments were significantly affected (P<0.05). T2 had the highest value for dry matter (30.02) and T1 had the lowest value (25.34). T2 had highest value for crude protein (22.67) and T1 had the lowest value of crude protein (7.56). The T1 (40.12) and T3 (40.11) had similarities in fibre components of the diets. Similarities occurred in all the diets for the pH values. T1 had the highest lactic acid values with the lowest value in T2. Colour of silages varied from greenish to light green. The smell of the silages had a grassy and slightly sour smell. The pH of the silages ranged from 4.3 -4.5. the texture of the silages ranged from firm, firm and wet and firm, while the mouldiness ranged from slightly mould, average mould and no mould. It can be concluded from the study that ensiling of Panicum maximum with Gliricidia sepium results in a high-quality silage characterized by improved chemical composition, favourable  ermentation characteristics, and desirable physical properties. This combination not  nly enhances the nutritional value of the feed but also supports sustainable livestock  roduction practices